Trump has frequently made statements that contradict or call into question the words and actions of his own aides and advisers. Those contradictions entered the spotlight once again on Tuesday, when the president appeared to shoot down his staffers' arguments that his tweets do not amount to definitive statements.

"The FAKE MSM is working so hard trying to get me not to use Social Media. They hate that I can get the honest and unfiltered message out," Trump wrote on Twitter, using an abbreviation for "mainstream media."

"Sorry folks, but if I would have relied on the Fake News of CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, washpost or nytimes, I would have had ZERO chance winning WH," he tweeted minutes later.

Trump later gave his own account of the decision, however, telling NBC's Lester Holt in an interview that he had decided to fire Comey before receiving Rosenstein's recommendation. "I was going to fire regardless of the recommendation," he said.

The FBI and at least four congressional committees are currently investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Trump has denied any improper contact with Moscow and has called the probes a "witch hunt."